GREATER GRAND RAPIDS OVERVIEW
WELCOME TO GREATER
GRAND RAPIDS
Located between Chicago and Detroit, Greater Grand Rapids is a growing region of more than 1.5 million people and counting. At its core is the thriving and vibrant city of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the state. With a strong business climate and exceptionally high quality of life, it is no surprise businesses and talent are flocking to the region. More than 130 international companies are located here, as well as four of Forbes Largest Private Companies. The region is home to the global headquarters of industry leaders like Amway, Steelcase, MillerKnoll, Haworth, BISSELL, Wolverine Worldwide, and more. There is an energy pulsating from Greater Grand Rapids that is felt throughout the Midwest. Our business and community leaders have set in motion an unprecedented level of growth and investment, cementing our place as a world- class center for advanced manufacturing, life science and medical devices, food processing, and technology. HOME TO ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN THE U.S.
“West Michigan was the ideal location for our cybersecurity research lab. The region’s low cost of doing business, combined with its talented pool of technology workers will make our company more competitive.” Brian DeMuth | CEO | GRIMM
TOP INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
GROW, INNOVATE, AND SUCCEED IN WEST MICHIGAN Since its introduction as the Furniture City in 1876, Greater Grand Rapids has been a leading center for quality, technical expertise, and innovation. The economy has since diversified beyond its furniture beginnings, and is now a center for manufacturing excellence, life science discovery, and technological innovation.
The following industries are driving the growth of the Geater Grand Rapids region.
16% Industry Growth Rate 2023–2023 (Natl. Average 14%) 33% Industry Growth Rate 2013–2023 (Natl. Average 41%)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
Employment Costs 33% Below Natl. Avg.
Greater Grand Rapids’ growing tech industry is powered by some of the best talent in the nation. From cybersecurity to custom software development, this industry is solving the future’s most pressing challenges.
44 Medical Device Companies
LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICAL DEVICES Greater Grand Rapids is home to some of the most advanced healthcare, research, and education facilities in the Midwest. This collaborative environment is driving innovation and shaping the future of medical device technology and manufacturing.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Greater Grand Rapids is home to one of the nation’s largest and most diverse manufacturing sectors. We are national leaders in plastics, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, production technology, automotive, office furniture, aerospace, and more. If you can dream it, we can make it.
2,100+ Manufacturers in Greater Grand Rapids
$40.8B In Exports Annually
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GREATER GRAND RAPIDS MAJOR CONSUMER BRANDS
4
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS BY THE NUMBERS
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
ENROLLMENT
13-COUNTY REGION POPULATION DATA
Grand Valley State University
21,648
Grand Rapids Community College
11,803
1,650,746
Ferris State University
10,072
Davenport University - Western Region
5,073
POPULATION
Muskegon Community College
3,446
40.6
Calvin College
3,231
Hope College
3,251
MEDIAN AGE
Cornerstone University
1,781
HOUSEHOLDS 614,115
Aquinas College
1,265
Montcalm Community College
1,603
Kendall College of Art and Design
562
LABOR FORCE 859,990
Michigan State University - West
273
Total
64,008
DATA SOURCE: IPEDS
COLLEGE ENROLLMENT 64,008
31.0% 31.7% 29.7% 7.6%
Bachelor’s or Higher Associate/Some College Other High School Diploma
DATA SOURCES: Lightcast, US Census Bureau American Community Survey, IPEDS
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
STEM DEGREE COMPLETIONS (2023)
COMPLETIONS
Science (including Healthcare)
4,662
Technology
686
Engineering
1,151
DATA SOURCE: Lightcast
Mathematics
169
DATA SOURCE: Lightcast
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COST OF LIVING INDEX
108.9
Austin, TX Boise City, ID Nashville, TN Grand Rapids, MI Louisville, KY Salt Lake City, UT
104.8
99.1 99.1
97.1
96.8
0
90
95
100
105
110
DATA SOURCE: Council for Community and Economic Research 2023 Annual Data
RACE & ETHNICITY
POPULATION PERCENT
# 3
Best Business Climate (Mid-Sized) Business Facilities
White, Non-Hispanic
1,309,133
79.31%
Hispanic
150,472
9.11%
Black, Non-Hispanic
108,543
6.58%
Two or More Races, Non-Hispanic
38,874
2.35%
$ 73,941 GREATER GRAND RAPIDS
Asian, Non-Hispanic
35,813
2.17%
American Indian or Alaskan Native, Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic
7,380
0.45%
530
0.03%
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
DATA SOURCE: US Census 2023 ACS 5 Year
Best Manufacturing Hubs (Large) Grand Rapids–Kentwood – Business Facilities # 1
$ 74,755 NATIONAL
DATA SOURCE: US Census 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
POPULATION
English Only
1,405,345
Spanish
74,497
Indo-European languages
23,750
Asian and Pacific Island languages
17,465
DATA SOURCE: US Census 2019 ACS 5 Year
POPULATION AGE
25.5% 27.9% 23.9% 19.1% 3.6%
0 to 19 20 to 39 40 to 59 60 to 79 80 or older
AGE* 37.4
MEDIAN
DATA SOURCE: US Census 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates
*FOR GRAND RAPIDS, KENTWOOD, & MUSKEGON CSA
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TOP INDUSTRIES
JOBS PERCENT
103
Manufacturing
154,611
19.9% 12.6% 9.7% 9.5%
PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES
Health Care and Social Assistance
97,945
Government
75,448 73,284
Retail Trade
110+
Admin, Support, Waste Mgt., & Remediation Services
65,733
8.5%
INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES
Accommodation and Food Services
59,028
7.6%
Wholesale Trade
37,001
4.8% 4.7% 4.5%
Construction
36,076 34,659 28,678 23,583 22,400 20,560 13,050 8,378 7,059 6,436 5,868 2,529 2,493
$ 78.2B GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT
Other Services (except Public Administration) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
3.7%
Finance and Insurance
3.0%
Educational Services
2.9%
$ 5.7B EXPORTS VALUE 2022
Transportation and Warehousing
2.7%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
1.7%
1.1%
0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.3% 0.3%
7%
Information
Management of Companies and Enterprises
DATA SOURCES: Lightcast, trade.gov, Factiva Dow Jones
EXPORT GROWTH RATE 2016-2022
Utilities
Unclassified Industry
DATA SOURCE: Lightcast 2023
TOP EMPLOYERS
INDUSTRY
EMPLOYEES
MICHIGAN TAX INFORMATION
Corewell Health
Healthcare Healthcare Restaurant
25,000
Mercy Health Saint Mary's
8,500 7,000 5,600 5,000 5,000 4,500 3,800 3,600 3,500 3,500
Meritage Hospitality Group Inc
NO
Blackmer
Manufacturing
Gordon Food Service Inc
Food Distribution
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
Meijer, Inc.
Grocery
Gentex Corporation
Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing
NO
Amway
MillerKnoll
INVENTORY TAX
Perrigo
Farmers Insurance Group
Insurance
6%
Steelcase, Inc.
Manufacturing
3,400
Grand Valley State University
Education
3,300 3,000 2,800 2,500 2,500 2,400
CORPORATE INCOME TAX
University of Michigan Health-West
Healthcare
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Education
TCF Bank
Finance Grocery
PERSONAL INCOME TAX 4.25%
SpartanNash
Arconic, Inc.
Manufacturing
Hope Network
Healthcare
2,200
Challenge Manufacturing
Manufacturing
2,100
DATA SOURCE: State of MI
DATA SOURCE: The Right Place, Inc.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
AIR TRAVEL Air service at Gerald R. Ford International Airport is provided by six airlines serving 31 major market destinations with 140 daily nonstop flights. It has current international connections through Detroit, Chicago, and other US destinations. A US Customs federal inspection station (FIS) terminal is currently under construction and will soon allow for processing of international flights and passengers. RAILROADS As the country’s 12th largest rail system, Michigan is well served by regional hubs in Grand Rapids. Current Class 1 railroads include: • Canadian National/Grand Elk Railroad • Norfolk Southern Railway • CSX Transportation • Canadian Pacific Railway/Soo Line DEEP WATER PORTS The Great Lakes can be reached via the St. Lawrence Seaway and the U.S. Inland Waterway system of rivers. When connected, the complete system offers a marine highway through the heartland of the United States, providing access to population centers and manufacturing sites from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast. The port sites on the shores of Greater Grand Rapids are positioned to connect Michigan highway and railroad infrastructure to this marine system, making these ports ideal candidates for manufacturing and food processing.
NON-STOP FLIGHTS AVAILABLE TO:
Atlanta Chicago Dallas Denver
New York Las Vegas
Orlando Phoenix Houston Minneapolis Detroit Fort Lauderdale Philadelphia Baltimore Washington D.C. Tampa Bay Miami Nashville Charlotte Savannah St. Petersburg Punta Gorda Sarasota
MEAN TRAVEL TIME (MINUTES) 26.4
TRAVEL TIME TO WORK
25.9% 36.7% 20.9%
Less than 15 min. 15 to 29 min. 30 to 44 min. 45 to 59 min. 60 min. or more
Fort Myers ...and more
7.9% 8.5%
DATA SOURCE: US Census 2022: ACS 1-Year Estimates
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LOW COST OF LIVING, HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
The Greater Grand Rapids region offers an impressive quality of life. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant city atmosphere or charming small towns, this area has a community for everyone. With a robust economy and affordable living, it’s the perfect place to build a career and raise a family. No matter where you live in the region, you’re just a quick drive from gorgeous white sand beaches, premier hiking and biking opportunities, and the thriving cultural and arts scene in Downtown Grand Rapids. Blue waters, pristine beaches, craft breweries, delicious eateries, miles of trails, top-notch museums, charming shops, and professional sports will keep you busy throughout the four seasons.
10 Most Beautiful & Affordable Cities to Live in the U.S. Travel + Leisure
Old Mill Brewpub & Grill
ArtPrize
Best Historic Small Town – Ludington USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
Silver Lake Dunes
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John Ball Zoo
Frederick Meijer Gardens
Van Andel Arena
Best Place to Live in Michigan SmartAsset
Hottest Job Markets Wall Street Journal
White Pine Trail
Best Places to Raise a Family in the U.S. – Grand Rapids Rocket Homes
Rosa Parks Circle
“Grand Rapids and it’s healthy business environment have been integral to BISSELL operations for over 140 years. We continue to see employment growth in this community. The decision to continue our investment here made sense and we thank The Right Place for their partnership.” Mark Bissell | Chairman & CEO | BISSELL
Kirk Park, Lake Michigan
THE RIGHT PLACE, INC.
125 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 450 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
fb.com/TheRightPlaceGrandRapids
linkedin.com/company/the-right-place
o f e w
616.771.0325 616.771.0555 info@rightplace.org rightplace.org
@therightplaceinc
05/24
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